Adventure Jones Blog - Posts Tagged ‘Cargo Box’

Make sure the cargo bag will fit your vehicle and roof rack.

Weekend traveling requires some packing finesse. It’s unlikely you’ll need to rent a truck unless you pack like my 14 year old. More often, your car, SUV, or pickup will be transporting you, your company, and your gear. Add to that the weather this time of year requires extra layers and winter gear too. Space is precious, so if a little snow doesn’t keep you indoors for a great weekend, then now is the time to think about choosing to add cargo space. The extra space in a cargo bag is an obvious value, but there are different styles to fit different needs.

Roof Styles

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Measure the dimensions of your roof and the racks before shopping. Do you have a rack on the roof of your vehicle or do you have a “naked roof”? If your roof is naked, you’ll need a different type of rack system than if you have rails on the roof. Don’t forget to check and see if the cargo box or bag is compatible with your vehicle and roof rack. That’s not something you want to find out the day you’re packing the car.

Aerodynamics and Weather

The Thule Quest Roof Mounted Cargo Bag adds about 13 cubic feet of packing space and has an aerodynamic shape to help with wind drag. It’s made of weather-resistant material, so you can take it out even on a snowy day. If there is a chance for a torrential downpour, however, I might be more inclined to use a cargo box instead. For example, the Thule Transporter Combi Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier can be mounted to the back of your vehicle, also reducing drag.

Environmentally Friendly

For an environmentally friendly option, you can choose a Yakima Get Out Car Roof Cargo Bag, which adds about 13 cubic feet of space. For all of us environmentally conscious people, all of Yakima’s cargo bag material is PVC-free. Yakima’s Planet Payback initiative is focused on reducing waste and making as small a footprint as possible on the environment.

Cargo Bags by Thule and Yakima

There are lots of options for choosing a cargo bag for this winter, so check out our selections to find your perfect bag today.

Use a cargo bag to save space in your vehicle.

You might be wondering how much space you can save with a cargo bag, if it will be annoying to carry on your vehicle, and whether it will be worth the cost. A cargo bag is designed to mount on the roof of your vehicle in a carrier basket, or on the rear of your vehicle with a hitch mount. Here are some great reasons to invest in a cargo bag of your own.

Save Space

One of the biggest reasons to purchase a cargo bag is the improvement in space. Take, for instance, the SportRack Cargo Carrier Basket Bag. This bag holds up to 10 cubic feet worth of stuff. Think of how much space 10 cubic feet would take up inside your car. That’s an entire person! So now your best friend doesn’t have to take another car and your dog won’t need to stay behind. They can fit in the car, with all the things you need for your adventure.

Save Weight

Another good reason to purchase a cargo bag is weight and protection. The cargo bag is much lighter than a hard shell, but still keeps your items protected, and it’s waterproof, so there’s no need to worry about the weather, rain or shine.

Convenience

The cargo bag is much easier to maneuver than a hardtop roof box. The cargo basket, which holds your bag, folds up when not in use. It’s all steel and holds up to 500 pounds, so you can load it up with all your gear and not have to worry about it bending or breaking.

The basket is also good not just for adventure trips, but for a Saturday garage sale adventure, or even a large holiday shopping trip. If you bought more items than your car will carry, you won’t need to freak out when you get to your car. Just unfold the basket, load up your items, and drive home.

Cargo bags free up valuable space in your vehicle.

Want to save valuable space inside your vehicle when you’re traveling? Install a roof rack and cargo bag. A roof rack consists of two rails that are mounted on top of your car or truck, with a cargo carrier secured to the rails. Knowing how to use your roof rack safely makes packing your vehicle that much easier.

Choosing a Roof Rack Cargo Carrier

The first step in choosing a roof rack is to decide if you want to use a hard-shell cargo carrier or a soft cargo bag. Which option you choose will depend on your personal preferences and what you need to pack. A roof top carrier can have a hard top or a soft top. You’ll save money if the roof carrier has a soft shell instead of a hard shell, since soft cargo bags are cheaper than hard cargo boxes. The benefit of a hard-shell roof top carrier, on the other hand, is the extra protection it provides against the elements and against possible theft.

Making Sure the Roof Rack Is Secure

Examine the roof rack on your vehicle and make sure that it’s properly mounted. If one of your rails is loose, then one or more bolts will need to be tightened. Make sure the roof rack is properly installed before mounting a cargo bag or roof top carrier.

Have questions about your roof rack system? Your user manual should come in handy. It’s loaded with valuable information, including the limit of weight that can safely be secured to the roof rack.

Mounting the Roof Rack Carrier

Your roof top carrier or cargo bag should come with straps for mounting and securing the load to your roof rails. The roof top carrier or cargo bag will include mounting instructions as well.

Loading Up Your Carrier

If possible, load the roof top carrier or cargo bag before placing it on top of the vehicle. This will ensure that it is loaded properly when it is mounted and secured. Make sure that the straps are tight and secure by pulling on each one. If you are securing luggage to your roof rack, then cover with netting as an extra precaution in case any of the straps come loose.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the proper use of your roof rack, give us a call or consult your user manual. You can also browse our selection of Yakima, Thule, and other name-brand roof rack carriers.

Free up space in your vehicle with a cargo bag.

Cargo bags are a great option to use for additional storage when traveling. If you do not have the room in your vehicle for extra luggage or other items, then a cargo bag can be used. This is a device that will mount to the roof rack on the top of your vehicle. Securing a cargo bag to the roof of your vehicle is done by following the steps below. Make sure to consult the instruction manual for your cargo bag for specific instructions from the manufacturer.

Method

The method to secure the cargo bag to your vehicle will vary based on the product. Your cargo bag can be secured with straps and buckles or some other type of tie down. This can be done once you have the cargo bag that you intend to mount to the top of your vehicle. Cargo bags come in a variety of sizes for many types of vehicles. Measure the distance between your roof rack rails to determine the ideal size for a cargo bag.

Placement

A cargo bag mounts on the roof rack of your car or SUV. The roof rack should be mounted securely on the roof of your vehicle with the proper mounting hardware. The cargo bag can be packed first and then placed on the roof. You can also pack the bag after it has been secured in place.

Procedure

The cargo bag needs to be opened and then placed on your vehicle. Unzip and open the bag to expand it properly. Set the cargo bag on top of your vehicle in-between the roof racks. The straps need to be on the roof rail side of the bag with the bag opening right side up.

Mounting

Loop the straps on each side of the cargo bag around the roof rack rails. The ends of the straps will need to attach to the buckles that are on the sides of the cargo rack. Secure the cargo bag by pulling each strap tight.

Uninstalling the Cargo Bag

Detach the straps from the buckles when you need to remove the cargo bag. You will need to remove items from the bag before taking it off of the roof.

More Info

Looking for a cargo bag? Browse our selection of cargo bags from Yakima and Thule and SportRack.

Soft car top carriers are budget-friendly and easy to store.

Heading out on a road trip this summer? Keep the clutter out of the car with a rooftop cargo bag. These bags come in soft-sided and hard-sided models. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Soft-Sided Cargo Bag:

One of the biggest reasons to choose a soft cargo bag is the price. Soft bags are cheaper than hard boxes, which makes them more economical, especially if you only use them a few times a year.

Soft-sided cargo bags are easier to lift on and off the roof of your vehicle, since they’re lighter in weight. They’re also easier to store, since they collapse and fold.

Soft cargo bags are flexible enough to accommodate odd-shaped items, since the soft material allows you to change the shape of the bag slightly.

Pros:

• Lighter weight (easier to lift on and off)
• Easier to store
• Some are adjustable in size
• Flexible enough to accommodate odd shaped items
• Cheaper

Hard-Sided Cargo Bag:

One of the biggest reasons to choose a hard cargo bag is durability. Hard roof boxes hold up better under long-term use, so if you want your cargo box to last a long time, hard-sided is the way to go.

Hard cargo boxes are naturally more weather-resistant and waterproof. Because of the aerodynamic shape, they have less wind noise and resistance than soft-sided bags, where extra material can flap in the wind.

Hard cargo boxes are also more secure. Although both soft and hard cargo carriers are lockable, it’s a lot tougher to cut through the top of a hard carrier than it would be to slice into a soft carrier.

Since the hard-sided carrier keeps its shape no matter what, you don’t need to fill it up completely, as you would with a soft-sided carrier.

Pros:

• Shaped—no need to fill completely
• More secure
• More weather-resistant
• Less wind noise and resistance

Roof cargo bags give you more leg room on road trips.

Road trips are fun.

Road trips surrounded by coolers, suitcases, empty pop cans, and your annoying little sister? Not so fun.

Good news: there is a solution to your problem. Mounting a cargo box on your roof or rear hitch can give you more storage space and more leg room. (Unfortunately, you’ll still have to deal with the annoying little sister—sorry we can’t help you there).

Rooftop Cargo

Cargo boxes are split up into two categories: hard and soft.

Hard cargo boxes offer durable protection and security. You can lock them up and leave them on your vehicle at rest stops, diners, and hotels. They also keep their shape, so there’s no need to pack the box full when you drive with the cargo box mounted on your vehicle.

Soft-sided cargo bags are budget-friendly and light enough to easily lift on and off your vehicle’s roof, when empty. It’s best to pack the cargo bag full in order to keep it from flapping in the wind while you’re driving down the highway. Some soft cargo bags are adjustable in size for lighter loads.

Rear Cargo

If you’ve got a trailer hitch on your vehicle, rear cargo carriers are another option. They are easier to access (no reaching overhead) and easier to mount (no lifting overhead). Just keep in mind that they may block rear access to your vehicle.

Stash your board on the roof with a snowboard rack.

If you’ve got a car full of people ready to hit the slopes, you know what it’s like trying to fit everyone’s skis and snowboards in the trunk or between seats. You can make things a lot more comfortable with a rooftop carrier or hitch mounted carrier. Keep your skis and snowboards secure and out of the way on the roof or back of your vehicle.

Roof Mounted Ski and Snowboard Racks

Rooftop ski and snowboard racks require a roof rack base for mounting. If you have a naked roof, you can purchase a roof rack system from Thule, Yakima, or another brand. Rack systems are also available for vehicles with factory rack systems already in place.

The best part about choosing a rooftop ski and snowboard rack is that you can use the roof rack base for carrying bikes, kayaks, canoes, surfboards, and other gear during the spring, fall, and summer months. The roof rack system holds any type of carrier, which is a bonus if you’re a multi-sport fan.

Cargo Boxes

Besides ski and snowboard racks, you can also use a cargo box to transport your gear. The advantage is extra protection from the elements. Plus, you can stash your boots, bags, and other gear inside the box for more leg room in the vehicle. Make sure the cargo box is long enough to fit your ski length and large enough to fit all of your gear.

Hitch Mounted Ski and Snowboard Racks

Another option is to purchase a hitch mounted ski and snowboard carrier. With a hitch mount, there’s no need to purchase a roof rack system. Installation is quicker, and the skis and snowboards are easier to access, since they are at a lower level. The downside is that it limits access to the rear cargo area, although some racks fold out of the way when unloaded to allow rear access.